The holidays do not have to mean automatic weight gain

Here are a few simple steps you can take to help your family keep their weight down in spite of the goodies that abound during this festive season.

by Joanne Henning Tedesco — 

As we eat our way through the holidays, many Americans — including children — will begin piling on excess winter padding. Here are a few simple steps you can take to help your family keep their weight down in spite of the goodies that abound during this festive season.

• Plan family activities that include a physical component, such as walking, hiking, biking or skating.
• Replace traditional holiday dishes with reduced- or low-fat alternatives.
• Reduce time in front of the TV, computer or video games to less than two hours a day.
• Refrain from placing children on restrictive diets.
• Avoid using food as a reward.
• Never withhold food as a punishment.
• Drink water instead of sodas, fruit juices or sports drinks.
• Plan healthful snacks you and your children can easily carry with you, such as nuts or carrot sticks.
• Discourage eating snacks or meals while watching TV.
• While holiday shopping at the mall, walk the length of the mall before beginning your shopping.
• Start your New Year’s resolutions early, making one of them to eat healthy all year long.

Joanne Henning Tedesco is editor of AzNetNews.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 24, Number 6, December 2005/January 2006.